Gayest Cities in America, 2013

Being a great LGBT city doesn’t just mean having a raucous nightlife, so if you expected to see Hell’s Kitchen or the Castro, you’re reading the wrong list.

BY Matthew Breen

January 09 2013 10:00 AM ET

Are you shocked that Los Angeles and New York didn’t make the list in our fourth annual accounting of city life in America? Then listen up, honey. As much as we love fabulous soirees and mimosa brunches, there’s much more to LGBT life than that. We live in little burgs and big cities and tons of places in between — so we’re looking at the in-between. This year our totally accurate (and totally subjective and constantly changing) criteria for a great gay city had to include two of the biggest legislative and political developments for LGBTs: marriage equality votes in four states and the election that swept a ton of queers into high office, including seven members of Congress.

THE CRITERIA

LGBT elected officialsAccording to Victory Fund;1 point for each federal, state, and local official in office or elected in 2012+HRC Corporate Equality Index 100s1 point for each company located in a city+Concerts by Scissor Sisters, Uh Huh Her, Girl in a Coma, and cast of Glee1 point for each stop since 2009+Fabulous shopping1 point each if a city has Whole Foods, West Elm, or Pottery Barn stores+Transgender protections1 point for every jurisdiction with laws prohibiting discrimination, according to National Gay and Lesbian Task Force+Gay rugby1 point for each team+Bisexual resource groups1 point per organization, according to BiNetUSA+Roller Derby1 point for each league+Marriage equality5 points

DIVIDED BYPopulation within city limits(population of >150,000 required)